tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post3026554064065027639..comments2024-03-22T05:18:29.555-04:00Comments on Romance Bandits: Murder for MoneyLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-74755427772547751912009-02-06T23:06:00.000-05:002009-02-06T23:06:00.000-05:00Now there's some book fodder, Louisa!Now there's some book fodder, Louisa!Debra Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06801763394664675209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-32996705894553604202009-02-06T22:46:00.000-05:002009-02-06T22:46:00.000-05:00Yes, Deb, it really did happen in Alabama - Montgo...Yes, Deb, it really did happen in Alabama - Montgomery to be exact. The kid in the car drove his silent, bloody friend home, dropped him off and went home without saying a word to anyone. There was talk of charging him as an accessory, but his lawyer's very sound argument was "What would you have done?" Guy gets in my car covered in blood holding a sword and says "take me home" I would probably take him home to avoid ticking him off. I, as an adult, would have alerted the authorities. I can understand why a teenager might not. The murderer by the way was found in his home with a gunshot wound to the head - suicide. It was a very sad case. The young man who did it was in several of my classes and seemed like a nice kid. You never know. I also taught Brent Springford for one year. Now you know why I don't teach anymore!Louisa Cornellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12971924594129471055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-57794980695911902262009-02-06T20:29:00.000-05:002009-02-06T20:29:00.000-05:00I'm loving that "threat assessment" quote as well ...<I>I'm loving that "threat assessment" quote as well p226...do you also sit with your back to the wall in restaurants? :)</I><BR/><BR/>Yes.p226https://www.blogger.com/profile/05502193525250005347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-62871645229574811532009-02-06T20:24:00.000-05:002009-02-06T20:24:00.000-05:00Kate asked, "You captured the GR perfectly! Such a...<I>Kate asked, "You captured the GR perfectly! Such a bon vivant, isn't he?"</I><BR/><BR/>Now, the GR's sure to get swell-headed (and pigheaded). Too much praising. Must get the marinade started to bring him down a peg or two. Mwahahaha.Keira Soleorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14440213826734580889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-23761955814031181752009-02-06T20:22:00.000-05:002009-02-06T20:22:00.000-05:00Debra wrote, "Keira! One more thing, I would tell ...<I>Debra wrote, "Keira! One more thing, I would tell this to all aspiring to be published--DO NOT GIVE UP!"</I><BR/><BR/>Debra, thank you for this. I seem to need to hear this often. Keeps the pits of despair away (and my hair safe). The Banditas are famous for keeping at it, and their success as yours is a testimony to persistence.Keira Soleorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14440213826734580889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-996593953601374582009-02-06T18:52:00.000-05:002009-02-06T18:52:00.000-05:00Thanks, Cassondra! The friends we made in Maine ar...Thanks, Cassondra! The friends we made in Maine are priceless. A fiercely determined people. Survivors. And green minded. Camden was really big on recycling and taking care of the environment.Debra Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06801763394664675209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-72960477822776747502009-02-06T18:49:00.000-05:002009-02-06T18:49:00.000-05:00Kim, I wish I had your travel calendar! I'm always...Kim, I wish I had your travel calendar! I'm always envious of your wonderful trips.Debra Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06801763394664675209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-23168410070971815242009-02-06T17:55:00.000-05:002009-02-06T17:55:00.000-05:00Debra, thanks so much for the great answer and for...Debra, thanks so much for the great answer and for the encouragement. <BR/><BR/><I>Trust yourself.</I><BR/><BR/>Not an easy thing for a perfectionist like me. I know perfectionism is a muse killer, but it's a tough cookie to crumble. <BR/><BR/>How very cool that you just up and changed your life! I love that, and what a great example of trusting yourself--your gut--maybe the divine--and just going for it. BTW,I have a few friends who long to live in Maine--they were born there and say there's no place quite like it. I'm so glad it worked out for you. WAAAAY different from the south though...whoooweee.<BR/><BR/>Kim what a great blog! Thanks so much for bringing Debra to the lair today!Cassondrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07420982030156788059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-21952544498402571852009-02-06T17:29:00.000-05:002009-02-06T17:29:00.000-05:00I'm loving that "threat assessment" quote as well ...I'm loving that "threat assessment" quote as well p226...do you also sit with your back to the wall in restaurants? :)<BR/><BR/>Deb, great advice today. I just wish I could channel your nimble fingers!KJ Howehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13588414958560844668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-391546821578949012009-02-06T17:15:00.000-05:002009-02-06T17:15:00.000-05:00Aww, Debra, I loved BABY BOOM! I wanted to move to...Aww, Debra, I loved BABY BOOM! I wanted to move to Maine, too, after seeing that movie. And hello, Sam Shepard! LOL<BR/><BR/>It must've been a strange and wonderful experience--and it certainly had to have helped with the book.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing. :-)Kate Carlislehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16863555050062113192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-65649084350821013422009-02-06T16:37:00.000-05:002009-02-06T16:37:00.000-05:00Pat, thanks! I hope you enjoy the book!Pat, thanks! I hope you enjoy the book!Debra Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06801763394664675209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-34015310937353518012009-02-06T16:34:00.000-05:002009-02-06T16:34:00.000-05:00Kate, great to see you here! Never Happened was on...Kate, great to see you here! Never Happened was one of those books that was pure pleasure to write. Maine, well, it's a bit of a long story, but the condensed version is that we'd just sold our house and weren't sure what we wanted to do next. My youngest daughter was going through a tough time with a broken engagement and a horrible car accident in which her back was broken. We needed a change. My oldest daughter and I had talked about New England ever since we saw the movie Baby Boom. So, many years later, we packed up and went for it. We found a house that was empty for the winter (more than a century old farmhouse on 50 acres of land about 5 miles outside Camden). We could see the ocean from the kitchen window and the mountains were behind us. Truly, truly beautiful but cold! They hit a record snowfall that winter! But we had a great time. It was amazing and terrifying at the same time. I think the worst part was my poor husband having to drive that freaking U-Haul from Alabama to Maine. It was an adventure I will never forget and definitely I would do it again!Debra Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06801763394664675209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-39252198603338211962009-02-06T16:27:00.000-05:002009-02-06T16:27:00.000-05:00Nancy, conferences are great sources of info and i...Nancy, conferences are great sources of info and inspiration! I missed everything last year but I'm coming to both RT and RWA this year!Debra Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06801763394664675209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-20489222578193705942009-02-06T14:48:00.000-05:002009-02-06T14:48:00.000-05:00Nice to have you here today, Debra!Just finished r...Nice to have you here today, Debra!<BR/>Just finished reading all of today's comments. Like the rest, I am so floored by the numbers. My brain hurts from contemplating all the "thinking" that goes into all your works! I've not read any of your books, but I'm going to take some aspirin and go out and pick up your latest.<BR/><BR/>Pat CochranPat Cochranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11997396930842831460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-39933035477990596252009-02-06T14:11:00.000-05:002009-02-06T14:11:00.000-05:00Debra, I'm so amazed that you and your family move...Debra, I'm so amazed that you and your family moved to Maine to work on this book. Can you tell us why you decided to do it and how it worked out for you? Will you do that again?<BR/><BR/>I'm thinking I might have to set a book in Paris and move there for a year. :-)<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your advice about fear and frustration. I'm printing out that comment and posting it on my wall. <BR/><BR/>OMG, I've got to find "NEVER HAPPENED." <BR/><BR/>And I love LIE TO ME!!<BR/><BR/>Threat assessments, p226? That's probably smart. :-) I have a friend who, first thing he does when he enters a room, is look for three ways to escape. Now I can't help thinking about it whenever I enter a new room. <BR/><BR/>LOL on your 12 minutes of cognitive functioning!Kate Carlislehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16863555050062113192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-234640782932785912009-02-06T13:45:00.000-05:002009-02-06T13:45:00.000-05:00Debra, I'm always getting strange looks from my hu...Debra, I'm always getting strange looks from my husband, just because I might've mentioned some particularly painful way I could kill someone off for annoying me at the office, or cutting me off in traffic. Is that so wrong? :-)<BR/><BR/>And then, there are the voices. He doesn't seem to understand that, either. *g*<BR/><BR/>I'm in awe of your writing speed!! And I can't wait to read your latest. I put my Amazon order in so it should be here any day now!<BR/><BR/>LOL Keira! You captured the GR perfectly! Such a bon vivant, isn't he? :-)Kate Carlislehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16863555050062113192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-88185811937513259462009-02-06T13:40:00.000-05:002009-02-06T13:40:00.000-05:00P226! I love that! "Threat assessments!" I'll have...<I>P226! I love that! "Threat assessments!" I'll have to start doing that. </I><BR/><BR/>It's not necessarily as fun as it sounds. It's just become a function of day to day life for me.p226https://www.blogger.com/profile/05502193525250005347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-42413484162883976822009-02-06T13:39:00.000-05:002009-02-06T13:39:00.000-05:00Debra, welcome! KJ, thanks for hosting today.This...Debra, welcome! KJ, thanks for hosting today.<BR/><BR/>This is an interesting thought. I sometimes come home from conferences excited about cool-o (I think) information like how to make napalm. I suspect the dh finds this enthusiasm a little bent, but he tries to make appropriate noises. I've never needed to use that information, but I like knowing I have it in case a character needs it. *g*<BR/><BR/>Though the does like the <I>Burn Notice</I> voiceovers where they talk about making various gadgets, including explosives. Hmm.<BR/><BR/>I tend to wonder more mundane things about people--like what they're doing before they come into my line of sight and what they'll do when they leave.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705259501965011703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-46095591747350995082009-02-06T13:34:00.000-05:002009-02-06T13:34:00.000-05:00Keira, you're really on a roll! Congratulations.Keira, you're really on a roll! Congratulations.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705259501965011703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-65931717816313303442009-02-06T13:19:00.000-05:002009-02-06T13:19:00.000-05:00P226, very good point. The length of time in the w...P226, very good point. The length of time in the water is extremely important. That's a part of research that I truly have fun with--discovering all those little things that happen to the human body after death and what an investigator has to do to find them. I did a book for Harlequin called NEVER HAPPENED. In it, my heroine was a "cleaner". She specialized in cleaning up rental properties where bodies had been discovered (usually the tenant). It was a very interesting field to research. Never Happened was the name of her business because when she finished, the place looked as if "it"--whatever it was--never happened.Debra Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06801763394664675209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-54187739627865305492009-02-06T13:14:00.000-05:002009-02-06T13:14:00.000-05:00Thank you so much, Marisa! Writing FIND ME was a t...Thank you so much, Marisa! Writing FIND ME was a true joy. I think being immersed in the setting really helped me to get into that story. I trudged every step through the snow and ice alongside Sarah Newton!Debra Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06801763394664675209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-25234263839385943082009-02-06T13:13:00.000-05:002009-02-06T13:13:00.000-05:00Cassondra, you're too kind. I do think that allowi...Cassondra, you're too kind. I do think that allowing the story to simmer for a while is very helpful. When it builds enough, I dive in. Then it's that plain old sticking point of staying with it until I'm done. I allow myself free time to do the other things I love and I think that fills the well more than anything else. Music, movies, TV, headlines, just seeing something that triggers a reaction deep inside will compel me to get busy. As far as keeping it fresh, one thing I believe that has helped me with the Colby Agency is the fact that I know these characters so well. I am deeply invested in them as "real" and I know what they've been through. Characters are like people, if you really know them, they're all different. That's key because two different people rarely react the same to a situation. We all have our little idiosyncrasies and what we say and do is filtered by those. One last piece of advice, trust yourself. You are a storyteller. The story will come if you let it. Sounds corny, I know. Frustration pushes it away. Fear pushes it away. Don't be afraid and don't be frustrated with yourself--just write the story. It took me a long time to learn that core fact. So don't beat yourself up if you haven't mastered that challenge. I've been writing stories since I could read and write. So I've got lots of years under my belt of creating people and plots and learning to deal with the frustrations and fears.Debra Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06801763394664675209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-32895252935816250652009-02-06T13:10:00.000-05:002009-02-06T13:10:00.000-05:00Hi Debra!I have a trillion things running through ...Hi Debra!<BR/>I have a trillion things running through my mind... in fact I'm often found trying to make my mind blank for a minute or two.<BR/><BR/>You know I loved FIND ME! I'm so very glad you're into the murder for money business.Marisa O'Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00024947742780527546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-4732272108353011202009-02-06T13:00:00.000-05:002009-02-06T13:00:00.000-05:00Debra, welcome to the lair!I've always been awestr...Debra, welcome to the lair!<BR/><BR/>I've always been awestruck by your ability to crank out so many books--yet they never get formulaic or repetitive. I know you can't make anyone a faster writer with your advice, but....how do you keep it fresh? How do you fill the well?<BR/><BR/>You even mentioned television shows you like and my gosh, if I watched television I would NEVER write. Yet I recognize that for many writers, that's a "well-filler". <BR/><BR/>Have you learned over the years of writing how to better keep the flow going? Have you ever been stuck in your writing? <BR/><BR/>And can you pass along any secrets to your success at juggling so many projects? For instance, do you work on one at a time or several? Is the time you spend "percolating" the idea the secret to quick writing for you? Any thoughts on how to let go and let the muse have its way under the writing load you carry?<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for visiting with us. It's an honor to have such an accomplished role model in the lair with us!Cassondrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07420982030156788059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-5055150317626861212009-02-06T12:51:00.000-05:002009-02-06T12:51:00.000-05:00Catslady! You're so right. I hate being able to fi...Catslady! You're so right. I hate being able to figure it out. My daughter refuses to go to movies with me because I figure it out too soon and can't keep it to myself. Speaking of movies, I watched TAKEN this weekend and loved it!Debra Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06801763394664675209noreply@blogger.com